Recycle Bin on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: where to look for deleted files and how to return them

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but its owners often face the problem: where do files go after deleting? Unlike computers where the basket is visible on the desktop, on Android devices its location depends on the version of MIUI, the type of files and even how to delete. In this article, we will analyze where exactly the basket on the Redmi Note 8 is stored, how to get there and what are alternative ways to restore data – from embedded tools to third-party applications.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi doesn’t have a single “universal” shopping cart for all file types. Photos, videos, and documents can be sent to different temporary storages — or not sent at all if you’ve used the Remove Forever feature. We analyzed the Recycle Bin on MIUI 12, 13, and 14, and also took into account the features of the firmware for Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo). If you delete something important, don’t panic: there are chances of recovery even without root rights.

1. Where is the photo and video basket on Redmi Note 8

The most obvious shopping cart on Xiaomi is a temporary storage for media files deleted through the standard Gallery app, which works on the principle of “soft removal”: the files are not erased from memory immediately, but moved to a hidden folder, where they are stored for 30 days (by default), after which they are deleted irrevocably.

To find this basket:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
• 🔍 Click on the three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper right corner.
• 🗑️ Select the Recycle Bin (on some firmware - Recently deleted).
• 🔄 Here you will see all the photos and videos deleted in the last 30 days. To recover a file, click on it and select Restore.

⚠️ Note: If you delete files through Explorer or third-party apps (such as Google Photos), they will not be in the Gallery Recycle Bin).

2. basket in the Files app (Xiaomi Explorer)

The second option is a built-in Explorer (Files from Xiaomi), where the basket works differently: it stores not only media, but also documents, APK-But there's a caveat: the default function of the Recycle Bin in Explorer can be disabled, and if you don't see it on the menu, it's deleted forever.

How to turn on and use the basket in the Explorer:

1. Open the Files app (an icon with a blue folder).
2. Go to Categories → Cart (if there is no item, read on).
3. If there is no basket, click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Cart.
4. Activate the switch Turn on the cart and set a shelf life (1 to 30 days).

🔹 Important: The Recycle Bin in Explorer only works for files deleted through this application. ES The guide, they're not gonna get in here.

Open the Files annex"|Go to "Categories" → "Basket"|If there is no basket, turn it on in the settings|Set a storage period (recommended 7-15 days)|Check the cart after each removal-->

3. Xiaomi Cloud Recycle Bin: How to Recover Files from Mi Account

If you use Mi Account and sync your data with Xiaomi Cloud, you have another chance to return deleted files. The cloud cart works independently of the local one and stores data for up to 60 days (depending on the file type), which is especially useful if you have deleted something important and the phone has already cleared the cart.

Instructions for recovery from Xiaomi Cloud:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
• 📂 Select the Cloud section → Recycled cart (or recently deleted).
• 🔍 Find the file you want and click Restore. It'll go back to the original folder on your phone.
• ⚠️ If the file is not in the cloud bin, check the Archive section – sometimes the data is moved there automatically.

⚠️ Note: The cloud cart is only available if you have synced before deleting files.If you have never set up Xiaomi Cloud, this method will not work. Also note that the free cloud only provides 5GB – if the space is out, old files can be deleted automatically.

4. Google Shopping cart Photos: an alternative for users of Google services

If you use Google Photos to back up, deleted media files from your phone can end up in the service's shopping cart, which works independently of MIUI and stores data for 60 days, the main condition is that sync is enabled before files are deleted.

How to recover files from Google Photos Recycle Bin:

1. Open the Google Photos app on your phone.
2. Click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → Cart.
3. Select the files you need and click Restore.
4. Files will be returned to the main gallery and device (if there is space).

🔹 Nuance: If you delete files directly from Google Photos (not your phone), they will remain in the service basket, but disappear from the memory of Redmi Note 8.

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If you delete files regularly but want to be safe, enable automatic sync in both Google Photos and Xiaomi Cloud, so you have dual protection: even if the shopping cart on the phone is cleared, the files will remain in the cloud.

5 What to do if the basket is empty: restore without root

If all the bins are empty and the files have been deleted forever, don't despair. There are several ways to return data without obtaining root rights (which may be unwarranted). These methods are suitable for the Redmi Note 8 on any version of MIUI, but their effectiveness depends on how long it has been since deleting.

Recovery methods:

• 🔧 Recovery apps: DiskDigger, Dumpster, Recuva (PC) scan your phone's memory for traces of deleted files. Importantly, don't install them on the same memory partition where the files were, so you'll overwrite the data!
• 💻 PC Connection: Use programs like EaseUS MobiSaver or Dr.Fone that scan more deeply for memory, but require a phone to connect over the phone. USB (file transfer).
• 📱 Backups: Check if you have backups through Settings → System system → Backup. Even if the copy is old, there may be files in there.

⚠️ Warning: The more you use your phone after deleting files, the lower your chances of recovery. New data (photos, apps, cache) overwrites old memory sectors. If files are critical, immediately disable Wi-Fi/Mobile data and do not install new programs.

6. How to permanently delete files without passing the shopping cart

Sometimes you have to delete data so that it can’t be restored (for example, before selling a phone).There are several ways to completely erase the data on the Redmi Note 8:

Safe disposal methods:

• 🗃️ Through Explorer: In the Files application, select files → press Delete → Choose Delete Forever (Do not Move to the Recycle Bin).
• 🔄 Formatting: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clean and select Format SD-card (if the files were on it).
• 🧹 Resetting to factory: The most radical way - Settings → The phone. → Reset. Delete everything, including hidden copies.
• 🔐 Encryption: Before deleting, encrypt files through ES Explorer or Cryptomator, then delete encrypted copies.

🔹 For sale of the phone: One reset is not enough - use the Cleanup of all data in Fastboot mode (via Mi Flash Tool.

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Even after formatting, files can be restored by specialized programs. If you need to erase data guaranteed (for example, before selling), use reusable overwriting via PC (utilities like utilities like DBAN for SD-map).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Redmi Note 8 users often experience problems with their cart, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

Problem 1: The Recycle Bin in the Gallery is empty, although the files have been deleted recently.

⚠️ Note: If you have deleted files through Explorer or Google Photos, they will not get into the Gallery Recycle Bin. Check other temporary storages (see table above). Also make sure that the Recycle Bin feature is not disabled in the Gallery settings (Gallery Settings). → Basket).

Problem 2: You can’t recover files from the Recycle Bin – the button is inactive.

• Check if the room on the phone is out.The basket requires free space to recover.
• Reboot your phone – sometimes it solves the interface glitches.
• Update the Gallery app through Google Play.

Problem 3: Files are restored but not opened.

⚠️ Note: If files are damaged when deleted (for example, due to an interrupted process), they may not open. Try to restore them to your PC using Recuva or PhotoRec – these programs sometimes cope with corrupted data.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions